Anthony Edwards Adjusts Free Throw Routine After Mark Cuban’s Comments
Anthony Edwards finds himself adapting his free throw routine this season, and the catalyst for this change is none other than the outspoken billionaire, Mark Cuban. In a September podcast appearance, the minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks drew attention to a specific aspect of Edwards’ game, suggesting that the young star habitually stepped over the free throw line before his shots. Cuban didn’t mince words, saying, “Watch Anthony Edwards when he takes a free throw shot. Every single time he steps over the line. Every time.”
Referees Take Note of Cuban’s Remarks
Cuban’s comments have reverberated through the league, prompting officials to pay closer attention to Edwards during games. As a result, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard has modified his routine in order to avoid violations. After an impressive performance where he scored 39 points against the Boston Celtics, Edwards humorously addressed the situation.
“Some famous guy went on Instagram or went on a podcast and was talking about my free throws and he brought it to the attention of everybody so I had to change it,” Edwards shared. He acknowledged the scrutiny he faced, adding, “Now the refs be like ‘You can’t step over the line,’ so I had to change my whole (thing). I think it was the dude who used to be the owner of the Mavs. Mark Cuban.”
Performance Remains Strong Despite Changes
Despite the pressure of adjusting his routine, Edwards has maintained his scoring prowess. Against the Celtics, he converted 10 of 11 free throws, contributing to a season average of 82 percent from the charity stripe. While this figure is a slight dip from the 84 percent he posted in previous seasons, it still surpasses his career average of 80 percent.
“I’m trying to get used to my new free throws,” Edwards remarked candidly. “I mean, it’s no excuse; I gotta make ’em. … It’s hard, but as much as I be in the gym, it shouldn’t be that hard. I try to shoot like 200 free throws a day. I gotta get comfortable with it.”
Cuban Weighs In on the Situation
The locker room video of Edwards discussing his free throw adjustments quickly gained traction on social media, prompting a response from Cuban. He clarified his intentions, stating, “This has nothing to do with Ant. It was the fact that NBA officials chose not to make an easy call. That’s the issue.” Cuban elaborated on his frustrations with officiating, recalling a playoff game against the Timberwolves two years ago when Edwards stepped over the line during crucial free throws that helped secure a victory.
Cuban’s remarks serve as a reminder of the interplay between player performance and officiating standards in the NBA. He concluded, “If you speak about it on NBA podcasts, that changes their behavior.” In this evolving narrative, Edwards’ adaptation highlights both the pressures faced by young stars and the influence of external voices in the league.
